Display unit



Feb. 11, 1964 P. w. BOWERS ETAL DISPLAY UNI T Filed May 15, 1962 (R QQM ATTORNEY United States Patent Office 3,120,826 Patented Feb. 11, 1964 3,120,326 DISPLAY UNlT Philip W. Bowers, 152 Pleasant View Drive, Battle Creek, lgtieh and Wendell F. Allen, Rte. 1, Box 88A, Ceresco,

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Filed Why 15, 1962, Ser. No. 194,769 Claims. (Cl. 108-101) This invention pertains to display units and, in particular, to -a readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit in which the various components thereof may be shipped in a relatively compact knocked down or disassembled condition and readily assembled and disassembled at the point of use thereof.

As will be readily apparent to those acquainted with merchandising practices followed in various types of stores engaged in vending various wares such as foods, diugs and cosmetics, clothing, hardware items and the like, constant attention is given to the most effective presentation of such wares to prospective customers. More specifically, and using bakery products such as bread and cookies as an example, the sales representative of the bakery may visit a given store several times in any one day to rearrange the bakery products on the shelf-type display unit provided therefor to insure that the goods are still in good condition and atnactively exposed to view. Periodically, again with the ultimate objective of attractively displaying his goods, the sales representative or an employee of the particular store involved may also wish to change the location of the particular shelf-type display unit being utilized or to replace a given unit with another display unit in accordance with a change in an overall advertising or sales promotional theme. Furthermore, when new products of the aforementioned type are introduced into stores, it is necessary to erect a display unit for such products.

In the past, such shelf-type display units have been manufactured of cardboard material or the like, wood or metal. As will be apparent, the cardboard materials are not too stable, are subject to being easily damaged or the articles contained thereon knocked therefrom. The wood units, while being much more stable, have also been quite bulky particularly from the viewpoint of handling and shipping costs if erected at the factory and, if shipped. in a knocked down condition from the factory, have required considerable time and labor for assembly at a selected site and disassembly in the event it is desired to move the unit to another store. While metal units have been provided comprising attaching members for the shelves and framework thereof to facilitate the assembly and disassembly thereof, such units are relatively heavy and expensive thereby resulting in a relatively prohibitive initial cost and shipping cost for many stores. It was a recognition of these and other problems in the display unit artthat led to the conception and development of the present invention.

Therefore, the present invention includes among its objects the provision of a readily assembhble and disassemblable shelf-type display unit for various types of goods and in which the various components thereof may be shipped in an extremely compact disassembled or knocked down condition and readily assembled at a selected site in a very few minutes.

It is yet another object and feature of this invention to provide a readily assemblable and disassemblable shelftype display unit of the type aforementioned comprising a pair of side members adapted to be placed in laterally spaced upstanding relationship and each including a plurality of vertically spaced horizontally projecting support arms adapted to receive a plurality of shelves, the respective side members and the rear edges of the shelves further including interfitting retaining notches for readily removably mounting each shelf between respective pairs gaged between the side members of the unit with vertically spaced portions thereof immediately adjacent rear edges of the respective shelves for the receipt of threaded fasteners positively connecting the vertically spaced portions of the back member to the rearward edges of the shelves to positively lock the latter in place.

It is yet another object and feature of this invention. to provide a readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit of the type aforementioned in which the retaining notches of each of the shelves are formed by the cooperation between notched out portions at each rear corner thereof with a generally U-shaped trim and retaining channel member including opposed retaining shoulders along each side leg or portion thereof slidably engageable with opposed mounting grooves along each side edge of each shelf, so that the channel member can be slid onto a shelf with a rearward portion of each side leg or portion adapted to extend laterally between and connect the aforementioned side members of the unit to initially lock the same in laterally spaced relation during subsequent assembly of the shelves and back member thereon, and

which toe board is characterized by notched portions at opposite corners thereof cooperating with slidably removably mountable trim channel members to form retaining notches cooperating with corresponding retaining notches on the side members for interengagement therewith.

It is yet another object and feature of this invention to provide a display unit of the type aforementioned in which the aforementioned channel members associated with each of the shelves and the toe board may be formed from continuous lengths of material of identical cross section, and differing merely in the lengths and shapes thereof in accordance with the particular member of the unit to which they are to be removably attached.

It is yet another object and feature of this invention to provide a display unit of the type aforementioned further characterized by a bracket member extending along the upper edge of the back member for supporting a display sign or card therein, the bracket member being selec tively disposable in front of or to the rear of the back member as desired in accordance with the manner in which the back member is assembled between the side members.

Still further objects, features and advantages of the invention will appear as the description proceeds.

To the accomplishment of the foregoing and related ends, the invention, then, consists of the means hereinafter fully described and particularly pointed out in the claims, the annexed drawing and the following description setting forth in detail certain means for carrying out the invention, such disclosed means illustrating, however, but one of various ways in which the principle of the invention may be used.

In the annexed drawing:

FIGURE 1 is an exploded perspective View of a display unit illustrating a preferred embodiment of the invention;

FIGURE 2 is a side elevation of the unit of FIGURE 1 showing the latter completely assembled;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view taken along the vertical centerline of the display unit; and,

FIGURE 4 is a fragmentary sectional view taken on line 5-4 ofFlGURE 3.

Referring now to the drawing, the numeral 10 generally 3 indicates a display unit comprising a pair of laterally spaced vertically upstanding side members 12 and 14 laterally interconnected by the toe board 16, the plurality of vertically spaced shelves 118 and the back member or panel 20.

Each of the side members 12 and 14 comprises a lower edge portion =22 adapted to rest on the floor of a store or the like, and a plurality of vertically spaced support arms 24 projecting horizontally forward-1y therefrom. It will be noted from FIGURE 2 that the forward edges of the respective support arms 24 are staggered relative to a vertical plane through the forward edge of the lowermost support arm; that is, that the extent of horizontal projection of the respective support arms progressively decreases from the lowermost support arm to the uppermost thereof. A horizontal forwardly opening retaining notch 26 is formed on each of the side members 12 and 14 at the rearward portion of each of the support arms 24 thereon. In addition, an upwardly opening retaining notch 28 is provided on each of the side members so as to communicate with the upper surface of each of the lowermost support arms 24 between the forward ends thereof and the retaining notch 26 associated therewith.

The toe board 16 comprises upper and lower edges 30 and 32, respectively, joined by oppositely spaced side edges 34-. A notch 36 is formed in each lower corner of the toe board 16 at the junction of the lower edge 32 thereof with the side edges 34, while the front and rear surfaces of the toe board immediately inwardly from its side edges 34 are provided with oppositely disposed mounting grooves adapted to removably slidably receive opposed retaining shoulder of metal trim channel members 38 embracing the side edges thereof in a manner to be described hereinafter. As will be apparent from FIG- URES 1 and 2 of the drawing, the respective trim channel members 38 are substantially coextensive with the width of the toe board between its upper and lower edges 30 and 32, respectively, so that a portion of each channel member projects beyond each side edge 34 of the toe board opposite the respective notches thereof to form with the latter generally downwardly opening retaining notches. Thus, with the channel members in place on opposite side edges of the toe board, the retaining notches thereof are adapted to removably inter-fittingly engage the retaining notche 28 in the respective side members 12 and 14 so that the upper and lower edges 3%) and 32 of the toe board are, respectively, substantially coplanar with the upper surface of the lowermost support arms 24 and the lower edges 22 of the side members. With the toe board so engaged with the side members 12 and 14, the latter are held in a predetermined laterally spaced relationship for receipt of the shelves 1.8 as will be described.

Each of the shelves 18 comprises front and rear edges 40 and 42, respectively, joined by oppositely spaced side edges 44-. 'It will be noted that the widths of the shelves 18 between the front and rear edges thereof progressively decrease from the lowermost to the uppermost thereof. Similar to the toe board construction previously described, notohes 46 are provided in the rear corners of each of the shelves at the junction of the rear edges there of with the side edges thereof, and a pair of opposed mounting grooves 48 are provided on opposite surfaces of each shelf immediately inwardly of the side edges thereof for slidable receipt of a pair of opposed retaining shoulders 50 on the side portions 52 of a generally U- shaped metal trim and retaining channel member 54. The shoulders 50 continue along the base portions 56 of the trim and retaining channel members and abut the front edge 40 of each shelf. Furthermore, it will be noted that the side portions 52 of each of the trim and retaining channel members 54 extend beyond the respectrve side edges 44 of each shelf opposite the notches 46 formed thereon to provide with the latter generally horizontal rearwardly opening retaining notches a p to ire'movably inter-fittingly engage respective retaining notches 26 on the side members 12 and 14- to removably mount the respective shelves oh the respective support arms 24. It will also be noted that the upper retaining shoulders '56 extend above the upper surfaces of shelves 1% to aid in retaining articles thereon.

At this juncture, it should be noted that the trim channel members 38 are preferably identical in cross section to the side portions 52 of the trim and retaining channel members 54 and, hence, similarly include retaining shoulders removably slidably mountable in opposed mounting grooves in opposite surfaces of toe board 16 along each side edge 34 thereof similar to mounting grooves 48 on the side edges 4-4 of each shelf l8, and as previously referred to above.

The rearward portion of each of the side members 12 and 14 includes a vertical mounting groove 58 adapted to slidably interfittingly receive a side edge 66 of the back member or panel 29. Thus, the lower ends of the side edges of the back member or panel may be engaged in the upper ends of mounting grooves 58 and then he slid downwardly to the position illustrated in FIGURE 2. In this position, and with the shelves 18 in place as illustrated in FIGURES 2 and 3, it will be noted that the rear edges 42 of the latter are immediately adjacent if not abutting vertically spaced portions of the back member or panel 2-0. The central portions of each of the shelves 18 are then adapted, preferably by providing pre-dril-led or otherwise formed apertures 62 therein, to receive the threaded fasteners or screws 64 extending through the apertures 66- in the vertically spaced portions of the back member or panel, thereby positively locking the shelves in position.

A generally L-shaped bracket member 68 is substantially coextensive with the top edge of the back member or panel 20, and is suitably secured thereto to form therewith a generally upstanding later-ally elongate U-sh-aped opening 70 of suitable width to receive the edge of a display card or the like, not shown, pertaining to the wares to be displayed on the shelves of the display unit.

At this juncture it should be noted that, in the interest of economy and reduction in weight, the side members 12 and 14, toe board 16, shelves 18 and back member or panel 20 are preferably made of a lightweight but durable wood althou of course, the lightweight metals may be used for these components if cost is not too great a con sideration. Furthermore, it will be noted that the respective notches 26 in the side members 12 and 1-4 and the respective notches 36 and 46 and mounting grooves 48 formed in the toe board 16 and the respective shelves 18 may be readily formed by identical and conventional woodworking procedures, while the trim channel members 38 and the generally U-shaped trim and retaining channel members 54 may be formed from identical continuous strips of metal cut to the desired length and shaped in accordance with its use. After so forming such channel members, they may be readily slidably inserted on the toe board 16 and the respective shelves 118 as 'will be apparent.

In operation, it will now be apparent that, upon manufacturing the various components of the unit, the latter disassembled forms a relatively compact package for handling and shipping purposes. In other words, all of the components of the unit will easily fit in a shipping container which is substantially coextensive with the length and width of the back member or panel 20 and just thick enough to hold the remaining components of the unit on the back member or panel.

Upon receiving a disassembled or knocked down unit at a site where it is to be assembled, the side members 12 and 14 are disposed in vertical laterally spaced positions and the retaining notches on the toe board 16 preferably first interfittingly engaged with the retaining notches 28 carried at the lower ends of the respective side members. As a result, the toe board 16 holds the side members in a predetermined laterally spaced relationship for further assembly of the unit. Thereafter, preferably the lowermost and widest shelf 18 is mounted on the lowermost pair of support arms 24 carried by the respective side members by interfittingly engaging the retaining notches thereon with the corresponding retaining notches 26 at the lowermost portions of the respective side members. Thereafter, the next higher shelves it; are progressively installed on the side members by an identical process. After all the shelves are in place, the back member or panel 26 is then inserted into the upper ends of the mounting grooves 58 and slid downwardly therein as aforedescribed. At this time, the threaded fasteners or screws 64 are insented through the back member or panel and into the central portions of the rear edges 42 of the shelves to positively retain the latter in place on the respective support arms. While the drawing illustrates the bracket member 68 and the opening '70 for a display card or the like as being disposed to the rear of the back member or panel, if desired the back member or panel may be turned around to dispose the bracket member to the front of the display unit.

If it is desired to disassemble the display unit for transport to another site or store, for example, it will be obvious that this may be readily accomplished merely by removing the fasteners or screws 64 and removing the back member or panel 2%, shelves l8 and toe board 16 from the side members 12 and 14 preferably in reverse order of that previously described in assembling the unit.

While but one form of the invention has been shown and described, other forms will now be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it will be understood that the embodiment shown in the drawing and described above is merely for illustrative purposes, and is not intended to limit the spirit and scope of the invention.

Other modes of applying the principle of our invention may be employed instead of the one explained, change being made as regards the article and combinations herein disclosed, provided the means stated by any of the following claims or the equivalent of such stated means be employed.

We therefore particularly point out and distinctly claim as our invention:

1. A readily -assemblable and disassemblable display unit comprising a pair of laterally spaced upstanding side members each having a plurality of vertically spaced forwardly' proiecting shelving support arms, a forwardly opening retaining notch on said side members at the rearward portion of each of said support arms, a plurality of shelves each including front and rear edges joined by oppositely spaced side edges, means forming a pair of laterally spaced rearwardly opening retaining notches along the rear edge of each of said shelves for interlitting engagement with respective pairs of said retaining notches on said side members to removably retain said respective shelves on respective pairs of said support arms, a back member having oppositely spaced side edges, mounting groove means on each of said side members for receipt of said side edges of said back member whereby the latter may be slid downwardly of said side members to dispose vertically spaced portions thereof opposite said rear edges of said respective shelves, and fastener means connecting said vertically spaced portions of said back member to said rear edges of said respective shelves to positively retain the latter on said respective support arms.

2. The readily assemblaole and discssemblable dis play unit as defined in claim 1 in which the extent of projection of said support arms progressively decreases from the lowermost support arm to the uppermost thereof, and in which the widths of said shelves between said front and rear edges thereof progressively decrease from a shelf remov-ably mounted on the lowermost pair of support arms on said respective side members and a shelf removably mounted on the uppermost pair of support arms on said respective side members.

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3. The readily assemblable and disassemblable dis play unit as defined in claim 1 further comprising a bracket member extending along the top edge of said back member for receipt of a display card therein.

4. The readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit as defined in claim 1 further comprising a toe board adapted to be removably mounted between said side members immediately below the lowermost shelf supported thereon and including means forming down- Wardly opening retaining notches at opposite ends thereof for interiitting engagement with upwardly opening retaining notches in each of the lowermost support arms on said side members.

5. The readily assernblable and disassemblable display unit as defined in claim 4 in which said toe board includes upper and lower edges joined by oppositely spaced side edges, and wherein said means forming downwardly opening retaining notches therein comprises a notched portion in each lower corner thereof at the juncture of said lower edge with said side edges, mounting grooves on opposite surfaces of said toe board along each side edge thereof, and a pair of channel members including oppositely disposed retaining shoulders slidably received within said respective mounting grooves along each side edge of said toe board, a portion of each of said channel members extending along said notched portions of said toe board to form therewith said locking notches.

6. The readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit as defined in claim 1 in which said means forming a pair of laterally spaced rearwardly opening retaining notches along the rear edge of each of said shelves comprises a notched portion in each rear corner of each shelf at the junction of said rear edge and said side edges thereof, a trim channel for each of said shelves, and means removably momiting each of said channels about the front and side edges of each of said shelves, said channels each including side portions projecting from each side edge of each shelf along said notched portions thereof to form therewith said retaining notches at each rear corner of each shelf.

7. The readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit as defined in claim 6 in which said respective channels project above the upper sunfaces of said respective shelves to retain arti les thereon.

8. The readily assemblable and disassemblable dis play unit as defined in claim 6 in which said means remova ly mounting each of said channels about the front and side edges of each or" said shelves comprises oppositely disposed mounting grooves on opposite surfaces of each of said shelves along each side edge thereof, the side portions of each of said channels embracing said respective side edges of said shelves and including oppositely disposed retaining shoulders slidably received within said respective mounting grooves, said channels projecting above the upper surfaces of said respective shelves to retain articles thereon.

9. A readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit com-prising a pair of laterally spaced upstanding side members each having a plurality of vertically spaced forwardly projecting shelving support arms, a forwardly opening retaining notch on said side members at the rearward portion of each of said support arms, a plurality of shelves each including front and rear edges joined by oppositely spaced side edges, a notched portion in each rear corner of each shelf at the junction of said rear edge and said side edges thereof, a trim channel for each of said shelves, and means removably mounting each of said channels about the front and side edges of each of said shelves, each of said channels including side portions projecting from each side edge of each shelf along said notched portions thereof to form therewith a pair of laterally spaced rearwardly opening retaining notches along the rear edge of each of said shelves for interfitting engagement with respective pairs of said retaining notches on said side members to removably retain said respective shelves on respective pairs of said support arms.

' 10. The readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit as defined in claim 9 in which the extent of projection of said support arms progressively decreases from the lowermost support arm to the uppermost thereof, and in which the widths of said shelves between said front and rear edges thereof progressively decrease from a shelf removably mounted on the lowermost pair of support arms on said respective side members and a shelf removably mounted on the uppermost pair of support arms on said respective side members.

11. The readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit as defined in claim 9 further comprising a toe board adapted to be removably mounted between said side members immediately below the lowermost shelf supported thereon and including means forming downwardly opening retaining notches at opposite ends thereof for interfitting engagement with upwardly opening retaining notches in each of the lowermost support arms on said side members.

12. The readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit as defined in claim 9 further comprising a back member having oppositely spaced side edges, mounting groove means on each of said side members for receipt of said side edges of said back member whereby the latter may he slid downwardly of said side members to dispose vertically spaced portions thereof opposite said rear edges of said respective shelves, and fastener means connecting said vertically spaced portions of said back member to said rear edges of said respective shelves to positively retain the latter on said respective support arms.

13. A readily 'assemblable and disassemblable display unit comprising a pair of laterally spaced upstanding side members each having a plurality of vertically spaced forwardly projecting shelving support arms, a forwardly opening retaining notch on said side members at the rearward portion of each of said support arms, a plurality of shelves each includ ng front and rear edges joined by oppositely spaced side edges, a notched portion in each rear corner of each shelf at the junction of said rear edge and said side edges thereof, a trim channel for each of said shelves, means removably mounting each of said channels about the front and side edges of each of said shelves, each of said channels including side portions projecting from each side edge of each shelf along said notched portions thereof to form therewith a pair of laterally spaced rearwardly opening retaining notches along the rear edge of each of said shelves for inteifitting engagement with respective pairs of said retaining notches on said side members to removably retain said respective shelves on respective pairs of support arms, a back member having oppositely spaced side edges, mounting groove means carried by each of said side members for receipt of said side edges of said back member whereby the latter may he slid downwardly of said side members to dispose vertically spaced portions of said back member opposite said rear edges of said respective shelves, and fastener means connecting said vertically spaced portions of said back member to said rear edges of said respective shelves to positively retain the latter on said respective support arms.

14. The readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit as defined in claim 13 in which said means removably mounting each of said channels about the front and side edges of each of said shelves comprises oppositely disposed mounting grooves on opposite surfaces of each of said shelves along each side edge thereof, the side portions of each of said channels embracing said respective side edges of said shelves and including oppositely disposed retaining shoulders slidably received within said respective mounting grooves, said channels projecting above the upper surfaces of said respective shelves to retain articles thereon.

15. A readily assemblable and disassemblable display unit comprising a pair of laterally spaced upstanding side members each having a plurality of vertically spaced forwardly projecting shelving support arms, the extent of projection of said support arms progressively decreasing from the lowermost support arm to the uppermost thereof, a forwardly opening retaining notch on said side members at the rearward portion of each of said support arms, a plurality of shelves each including front and rear edges joined by oppositely spaced side edges, the widths of said shelves between said front and rear edges thereof progressively decreasing from a shelf adapted to be removably mounted on the lowermost pair of support arms on said respective side members and a shelf adapted to be removably mounted on the uppermost pair of support arms on said respective side members, a notched portion in each rear corner of each shelf at the junction of said rear edge and said side edges thereof, a trim and retaining channel for each of said shelves, means removably mounting each of said channels about the front and side edges of each of said shelves, each of said channels including side portions projecting from each side edge of each shelf along said notched portions thereof to form therewith a pair of laterally spaced rearwardly opening retaining notches along the rear edge of each of said shelves for interfitting engagement with respective pairs of said retaining notches on said side members to removably retain said respective shelves on respective pairs of support arms, said channels projecting above the upper surfaces of said respective shelves to retain articles thereon, a back member including oppositely spaced side edges and a top edge extending therebetween, mounting groove means on a rearward portion of each of side members adapted to slidably receive said respective side edges of said back member whereby said back member may be slid downwardly of said side members with vertically spaced portions of said back member opposite said rear edges of said respective shelves, screw means extending between and connecting said vertically spaced portions of said back member to said rear edges of said respective shelves to positively retain the latter on said respective support arms, and a bracket member extending along said top edge of said back member for receipt of a display card therein.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 391,013 Bogardus "Oct. 16, 1888 1,597,284 Norman Aug. 24, 1926 1,655,331 Norman Jan. 3, 1928 1,783,675 Roberts Dec. 2, 1930 1,832,801 Wright Nov. 17, 1931 2,163,985 Roberts June 27, 1939 2,462,330 Mueller Feb. 22, 1949 3,069,216 Vaeth Dec. 18, 1962 FOREIGN PATENTS 120,595 Australia Ian. 15, 1944 

1. A READILY ASSEMBLABLE AND DISASSEMBLABLE DISPLAY UNIT COMPRISING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED UPSTANDING SIDE MEMBERS EACH HAVING A PLURALITY OF VERTICALLY SPACED FORWARDLY PROJECTING SHELVING SUPPORT ARMS, A FORWARDLY OPENING RETAINING NOTCH ON SAID SIDE MEMBERS AT THE REARWARD PORTION OF EACH OF SAID SUPPORT ARMS, A PLURALITY OF SHELVES EACH INCLUDING FRONT AND REAR EDGES JOINED BY OPPOSITELY SPACED SIDE EDGES, MEANS FORMING A PAIR OF LATERALLY SPACED REARWARDLY OPENING RETAINING NOTCHES ALONG THE REAR EDGE OF EACH OF SAID SHELVES FOR INTERFITTING ENGAGEMENT WITH RESPECTIVE PAIRS OF SAID RETAINING NOTCHES ON SAID SIDE MEMBERS TO REMOVABLY RETAIN SAID RESPECTIVE SHELVES ON RESPECTIVE PAIRS OF SAID SUPPORT ARMS, A BACK MEMBER HAVING OPPOSITELY SPACED SIDE EDGES, MOUNTING GROOVE MEANS ON EACH OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS FOR RECEIPT OF SAID SIDE EDGES OF SAID BACK MEMBER WHEREBY THE LATTER MAY BE SLID DOWNWARDLY OF SAID SIDE MEMBERS TO DISPOSE VERTICALLY SPACED PORTIONS THEREOF OPPOSITE SAID REAR EDGES OF SAID RESPECTIVE SHELVES, AND FASTENER MEANS CONNECTING SAID VERTICALLY SPACED PORTIONS OF SAID BACK MEMBER TO SAID REAR EDGES OF SAID RESPECTIVE SHELVES TO POSITIVELY RETAIN THE LATTER ON SAID RESPECTIVE SUPPORT ARMS. 